Laconia teen accused in stabbing

A local man was ordered held on $25,000 cash or corporate surety bond after allegedly stabbing an acquaintance over some stolen drug money Monday night on Arch Street.

By GAIL OBER

A local man was ordered held on $25,000 cash or corporate surety bond after allegedly stabbing an acquaintance over some stolen drug money Monday night on Arch Street.

Matthew Perkins, 18, of 123 Union Ave., No. 8, Laconia, appeared in Laconia District Court Tuesday morning, charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly stabbing Christopher Haddock, 36, several times in the abdomen shortly before 10:30 p.m.

Prosecutor James Sawyer said Haddock had surgery Tuesday morning and was in intensive care at Lakes Region General Hospital.

According to police affidavits, Perkins and three of his friends were walking home from work when one of them, Michael Raftes, took a call on his cell phone from a Tilton woman, who allegedly accused him of stealing her drug money. Raftes told police the woman asked him to meet her on Arch Street to discuss it, but he told police he refused and continued toward his home on Union Avenue.

Raftes said the four men continued toward his home when a Jeep "came speeding at them from Arch Street and three males jumped out."

Raftes described the three men, including the victim who he said was shirtless and had a green tattoo on his chest. Allegedly, the seven men began arguing and Perkins "exchanged punches" with Haddock.

Raftes and his other two companions, James Hembre and Scott Diberto, told police they did not see Perkins stab Haddock, but Raftes told them he knew Perkins usually carried a knife.

Affidavits indicate Hembre and Diberto told stories that were "consistent" with Raftes', but both said they did not see the knife or the stabbing. Raftes also allegedly told Detective Kevin Butler that Perkins admitted to him he stabbed Haddock five times.

When Perkins was interviewed, Butler said his story was originally consistent with the others. However, when pressed about the knife he "always carries with him," Perkins allegedly confessed to stabbing Haddock because he "was talking trash to his cousin, Krystal."

Perkins allegedly told Butler he "threw the knife in the air and is unsure where it landed." Described as a three-inch black knife with a folding blade, police said they have not recovered it.

While Perkins' attorney argued for reduced bail of $10,000 cash or surety because his client works and is not a flight risk, Judge Timothy McKenna ordered $25,000 cash or surety because Perkins has two prior convictions — one for drug possession and one for simple assault — and further ordered that should he raise bail and keep his job, he can continue to work as long as he is home between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

He is next scheduled for a probable cause hearing on Aug. 11 in Laconia District Court.